Western cyclone., 1887-07-22
KING KALAKAUA TALKS.
INTERVIEW WITH A TROUBLED
MONARCH.
His Reason for Refusing to Sign the
New COnstitutlon-DiscusS
the Land Bill.


to the Herald gives a report of an interview
which the Herald correspondent had with
King Kalakaua The King is reported as
saying: "The history of the present trouble
would be too long to enter into now My
position is largely one of ignorance as to
what IS exactly going on. As l understand
IL, however, a new constitution is being
drawn up by the committee of revision COM
posed of my present ministry, the Supreme
court, and a number of citizens.
"What that constitution contains do not
know, but | am informed it has provisions
that will radically alter the political condi-
ton of affairs" he continued. For instance,
l am told that it will confer the franchise
upon all residents, whether citizens or rot,
provided they are property holders. Now,
unless class legislation is practced that will
extend the franchise to Chinese, japanese,
ana Portuguese and cut off the voting power
OF three or iOur thousand natives whose pres
ent qualification is that OF education, and
under that there are between eleven and
twelve thousand voters of whom not more
than five or six hundred are white Now, it
is serious question whether have any
right to sign any document working such in
justice to my countrymen as this new consti-
tuition would do at the instigation of the
meeting, more than three-fOurths of whose
members have no say in this countrv's
affairs
"Will you sign the documents" was asked.
Il Shall not" he replied, unless advised
to by my privy council, to whom shall sub
NIT, unless | am compelled to do it instantly
under duress. But no matter whether signed
by duresS or by advice, l shall consider the
document illegal The only way the exist
ing constitution can be changed is by the
vote of the legislature at two successive ses-
sions, and when the people attempt to change
the constitution in any other way they SIM
ply make me an unwilling party to an illegal
act"
"What are the relations between yourself
and your new ministry9" was the next ques-
tion.
81 cannot tell, answered the King. spread
ing open his hands Il have not seen them
since they took the oath of office"
"But that" was suggested, "was nearly a
week ago. Why do you not summon them
and ask to be informed as to the true condi-
tion of affairs9 1t is surely the duty of your
ministry to keep you informed of all that is
occurring"
"It is, ,|Sah the King, firmly. "That will
show me their hand, or, at all events, they
shall bear the responsibility of keeping me
in ignorance as to what is going on. I'll do
it," end, summoning Antoine Rosa, his
chamberlain, he gave orders for the imme-
date convening of his ministers.
"Do you fear any personal violence?"
"If you mean dreading it, l say no. Ifyou
mean anticipating it, cannot say l do not
fear dying, and l do not believe that the end
Of the trOubln has hpan 1pnChaI
"What means have you of self defense?'
II have my body-guard of sixty men, who
are passably well armed and drilled, an
Austrian battery of six fieid-pieces, two
grape cannon with sweeping fire, good bolts
TO outside doors, and good L-arts within
Then, too, there are two companies of native
volunteers called the queens and kings own,'
composed mainly of old retainelS"
But outside there are 500 men, over a
thousand rifles, and ammunition enough fora
siege.
eyes" replied the King, nervonsly wetting
his lips, "hut they have not got inside yet"
"Will you call on the United States ship
Adams for assistance!' was asked.
"Not exactly for assistance answered Kal-
akaua, "but | have determined upon the sail
ing of the Australia this afternoon, either TO
request the Minister of Foreign Affairs to
ask foreign representatives to CON
slider the advisability of adopting certain
plans for assuring me OF my personal safety
or else to make an appeal over my own sig
nature
"My proposition" he added, "will be that
detachment OF marines shall be landed
from the Adams and be quartered at the
palace, and my argument VIII lie that their
presence may stop bloodshed which might
otherwise occur"